Ironing-machine.



No. 864,851. PATENTED SEPT. 3, 1907.

AJ. MUQVLOGKHART.

IRoNIN-G MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOI FILED DEO. 9, 1904.

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JOI-IN MCC. LOCKIIART, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IRON ING-MACHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

Application filed December 9,1904. Serial N- 236,146.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN MCC. LOCKHAET, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ironingl\flachincs, of which the following is a specification, .reference bein g had therein to the accompanying drawing, forming part of the specification, in which- Figure l. is a view in side elevation of my improved laundry machine. Fig. 2. is a plan view thereof. Fig.

i is a detail view oi' the moistening wheel and water supply. Fig. 4. is a longitudinal vertical section on thcI line IV. IV. of Fig. 2. Fig. 5. is a detail view in side elevation of the frame carrying the adjustable pressure rolls. Fig. G. is a sectional detail View of one of the corner shoes. Fig. 7. is a cross sectional view on the line VII. VII. of Fig. l. Fig. 8. is a similar view on the line VIII. VIII. of Fig. I.

My invention refers to improvements in means for ironing linen, more especially collars or cuffs, and is particularly designed for the purpose of finishing the edges thereof so as to produce a smooth finished surface.

The invention comprises an inclined table provided with means for feeding the article to be operated upon into engagement with under moistening and edging rolls respectively; Ineans for supporting and adjusting these devices; means for driving the various parts; means for curling or shaping the finished article, together with various other features of improvement and details of construction as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

Referrin g now to the drawings, 2 represents the main fralne of the apparatus constituting a table having an inclined top 3 down which the cuffs or other articles are introduced in the direction of the arrow a, a guide way being preferably provided consisting of flaring sides 4, 4, having an intervening space adapted to receive a single article and to guide it in alineinent with and toward the feeding rollers. These feeding rollers consist of a series of driven rollers 5, preferably three in number, rotatably mounted upon suitable supporting studs or pins (i projecting up from the main table, while a corresponding series of laterally adjustable rollers 7 are mounted in a carrying frame 8 and held thereby in operative engagement with the fixed rollers 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The frame 8, shown in detail in Fig. 5, consists of a skeleton plate in which the various rollers are journaled on suitable pins, the `frame being carried on the inner ends of temper screws 9 threaded into vertical bearings l() extending upwardly from the side of the main frame. rlhe inwardly projecting ends Il of temper screws 9 engage within a bearing hub 12 projecting backwardly from frame 8, an intervening cushioning'spring 13 being provided so that by adjustment of the temper screw inward pressure of the frame and also of the rollers 7 carried thereby may be very delicately adjusted. As thus arranged rollers 7 bear with the required pressure againstrollers 5. Rollers 5 as stated are fixed uponl their pins or spindles 6 which extend downwardly through suitable bearings I4 in the frame and are all driven by suitable gearing in one direction.

l5 is a main power shaft driven by pulley I6, a coupling clutch I7 being preferably provided so that the machine may be driven at will from a constantly running belt and from shaft 15 through bevcl gears I8, I9, 1notion is communicated to pinion 20 secured upon a carrying spindle or stud 2l. Pinion 20 meshes into a corresponding pinion 22 on the lower end of spindle 6 of the first roller 5 and communicates motion through a loosely mounted idler pinion 23 on the next adjacent shaft 6, to pinion 24 keyed to the last shaft (i, which shaft also carries a sprocket wheel 25. A similar sprocket wheel 26 is secured to the lower end of the intermediate shaf t (i and motion is communicated thereto from sprocket wheel 25 by chain 27. By this means it will be seen that all of the rollers 5 are driven in the same direction at uniform speed 28 is a horizontally disposed spindle mounted transversely of the frame underneath its upper face in bearings 29 and 30, the bearing 29 being xed but vertically adjustable by means of a temper screw 3l. while bearing 30 is also vertically adjustable by temper screw 32, but is also capable of an independent vertical movement by means of an intervening cushion spring 33, as clearly shown in Fig. S. Mount-ed upon shaft 28 is a meistening wheel 34 proj ccting up through a slot in the table in alineinent with the line of travel of the article to be treated and provided with an absorbent substance 35 as wool or other suitable material adapted to be charged with water through a pipe 36 leading from a reservoir 37. The shaft 28 and wheel 34 are slowly rotated by means of a grooved wheel 38, belt or cord 39 and driving wheel 40 mounted on main shaft I5. The peripheral travel of wheel 34 corresponds to the rate of travel of the cuff or other article, thereby insuring operative Contact and absorption. v

4l is a similar transverse shaft mounted in similar bearings 29/ and 30/ with corresponding supporting and cushioning elements 3 1/ 32 and 33, provided with an edging roll 42, likewise projecting up from underneath through an opening in the plate and provided with a V shaped groove 43 similarly in alinement with the line of travel of the article, and adapted to receive its edge. The V groove 43 is polished having a smooth finishing surface, and the wheel normally extends slightly above the normal position of the lower edge of the article. The edging wheel 42 is driven at comparatively high speed through driving wheel 44, belt or cord 45 and wheel 46, also mounted on the main shaft l5.

As the cuff or other article is introduced between the feeding rollers 5 and 7 it is carried inwardly and its lower edge will be brought into Contact with the V groove of the edging wheel which, rotating at the high speed, will iron it and give it the desired finish and polish.

For the purpose of heating wheel 42, gas is introduced into its interior through a pipe 47 terminating in a burner 48, by which means it may be maintained at the desired temperature. The edging wheel may also be heated by electricity or any other suitable means.

For the purpose of insuring a solid bearing for the machine it is provided at one end with rigid pedestals or legs 49 while the lower corners of the frame 50, preferably square, fit into receiving shoes 51 which are provided with suitable sockets 52 and merely rest upon the surface of a table or other suitable support upon which the machine is mounted. 1 have provided means for curving or shaping the ironed article automatically as it emerges from the last pair of feeding rolls, consisting in a vane wheel 53 composed of a series of spirally diverging vanes having a central portion rotatably mounted upon a bearing spindle 54 rigidly set in the base of the machine. This vane wheel is so located with relation to the last pair of feed rolls 5 and 7 that the cuff or other article emerging therefrom will automatically engage one oi the vanes and rotate the wheel, which by its rotation will impart a curve or bend to the article, which will spring outwardly therefrom when released by the rolls and fall into a basket or other receptacle.

The operation of the apparatus will be understood from the foregoing description. The feeding rollers carry the article along into Contact with the meisten-,p

ing and edging rolls respectively, positively holding it in engagement therewith and against their upward pressure without slipping upwardly, and this positive gripping or hold upon the article is an important and valuable feature of the invention, inasmuch as it insures an unvarying regular pressure upon the edge. As described, this pressure may be regulated to a nicety byl the adjusting mechanism while the cushioning supports for the bearings insure against undue pressure or any tendency to excessive compression of the edge. The driving mechanism of the apparatus is such as to insure continuous, positive operation; the moistening of the wheel 34 is continuously provided for as is also the heating of the edging roll; while the various other features of the apparatus are simple in construction, strong and durable, not liable to get out of order and capable of performing their functions in a highly efficient manner. The machine is capable of very rapid operation and large output, the work is of the highest finish and regularity, it does not injure the linen` nor unnecessarily meisten the edge, while not requiring any especial skill or attention on the part of the operator.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the design, proportions or other details by the skilled mechanic but all such changes and variations are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

What 1 claim is:

1 ln an ironing machine, the combination of a base provided with clearance openings, a vertically adjustable wheel provided with a moistening periphery extending upwardly through one of said openings, a resilient mounting for said wheel and means for rotating the wheel, an edging wheel in alinement therewith provided with a V shaped peripheral groove extending similarly upward through the base, means for actuating said edging wheel, a series of vertically arranged feeding rollers extending above the hase at one side of the line of feed defined by the peripheries of said moistening and edging wheels, an oppositely arranged laterally adjustable series of similar feeding rol1- ers, and gearing for simultaneously actuating all the rollers of one of said series of feeding rollers, substantially as set forth,

2. ln an ironing machine, the combination with a base provided with clearance openings, a wheel provided with a moistening periphery and an edging wheel provided with a V shaped peripheral groove, each of Said wheels extending upwardly through said openings in the base, a supporting shaft for each of said wheels, adjustable bearings for each of said shafts and resilient mountings for said bearings, means for actuating each of said shafts and wheels, "a series of vertically arranged feeding rollers extending perpendicularly beyond the base, a series of simiA lar contacting companion'rollers and a carrying frame therefor, means for adjustingsaid frame and rollers to vary the pressure of said contacting rollers toward the first named rollers, and gearing for simultaneously actuating all the rollers of one of said sets of feeding rollers, substantially as set forth` ln an ironing machine, the combination with a base provided with clearance openings, a wheel provided with a moistening periphery and an edging wheel in alinelnent therewith provided with a V shaped peripheral groove, each of said wheels extending upwardly through the openings in said base, a supporting shaft for each of said wheels, adjustable bearings for each of said shafts, resilient monntings for said bearings, means for actuating each of said shafts and wheels, a series of vertically arranged feeding rollers extending perpendicularly beyond the base, a series of contacting companion rollers and a carrying frame therefor, means for adjusting the said frame to vary the pressure of said contacting rollers towards the first named rollers, gearing for simultaneously actuating all the rollers of one set of said feeding rollers, and guiding flaring sides mounted upon the base in advance of the feeding rollers and arranged to direct the articles to be treated toward said rollers, substantially as set forth.

4. In an ironing machine, the combination of a base provided with clearance openings, a moistening wheel pro` vided with an inserted peripheral absorbent material, an edging wheel provided with a V shaped peripheral groove, independent shafts for said wheels, means for adjusting the shafts and wheels with relation te the base of the inachine, a resilient depressible support for the bearing of each shaft at one end thereof, a series of driven feed rollers extending perpendicularly above the machine base and in suitable relation to the peripheries of said wheels, a series of similar adjustable contacting rollers, with means for drivingl the moistening wheel, edging wheel and said feeding rollers, simultaneously, substantially as set forth,

5. In an ironing machine, the combination with a flat base provided with edge treating wheels extending up wardly therethrough, of a vertically arranged series of positively driven feeding rollers, and a corresponding series of bearing rollers with a supporting removable frame therefor, and a resilient backing for said rollers, the meeting peripheries of both series of said rollers being arranged in feeding alineinent with the edge treating wheels, substantially as set forth.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a main base having an inclined surface, a series of feeding rollers mounted thereon, a moistening wheel and an edging wheel extending from beneath into the path of travel of the article to be carried by the feeding rollers, and means for actuating the feeding rollers, moistening wheel and edging wheel, with a rotatable vane wheel arranged to receive the article from the feeding rollers, 'subA stantially as set forth.

7. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame having an inclined tat base provided with clearance openings, an edging Wheel and a nioistening wheel in peripheral alinelnent extending upwardly through said openings, positively driven shafts carrying said wheels and mounted in adjustable bearings, the bearings at one end of each of said shafts being` provided with a resilient backing, a series of positively driven feed rollers extending upwardly at right angles to said inclined "base, a corresponding series of similar bearing rollers adapted to make Contact therewith along; the line of feed and in alinexnent with the edges of said edge treating wheels, a removable frame carrying said bearing rollers, and means for providing a cushion backing therefor and for adjusting the pressure to said frame and rollers, with guiding flaring sides mounted upon the base in advance of the feeding rollers, and arranged to guide the articles to be treated toward said feeding rollers, substantially as set forth.

8. In a machine of the class described, the Combination with the base provided with an edging wheel and a 1noistening wheel, and series of driven vertically arranged feed. rollers extending perpendieularly beyond the base and arranged in alinenient with each other at one'side of the line of feed; of a corresponding series o1 contacting rollers, a carrying frame therefor provided with cushioning; springs, adjusting screws arranged to exert pressure against said cushioning; springs and plate, and threaded bearings for said screws extending upwardly from the base, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aliix niy signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN MCC. LOCKIIART. Witnesses C. M. CLARKE, R. H. McLAnN. 

